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Global Telly Talk
Classic UK TV
The Great British Sitcom
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<blockquote data-quote="Spells &amp; Karma" data-source="post: 305869" data-attributes="member: 23"><p><strong>7 of 1</strong></p><p><strong><em>Spanner's Eleven</em></strong></p><p></p><p>What a great title (perhaps inspired by <em>Ocean's 11</em> from a decade or so earlier), but it's nicely oblique, perfectly fitting (once one does understand once it means). And "spanner" is one of those words that has a funny ring to it anyway.</p><p></p><p>The idea of a sitcom based on a football team doesn't appeal at all. Thankfully it became apparent very quickly that one doesn't need to know or care for the game in order to enjoy the series. In many ways the premise is similar to the early <em>Carry On</em> formula where a group of hopeless misfits try to pull it out of the bag for the man in charge because it means the world to him. And when he's not playing coach, Albert Spanner drives a taxi which opens up another world of possibilities.</p><p></p><p>A few familiar faces include Bill Maynard as a local councillor and a young Christopher Biggins as member of the team with a touch of the Billy Bunters.</p><p></p><p>Roy Clarke's touch is everywhere with some great characters and dialogue. The episode has a running Barry and Freda type gag where she wants it but he's been made impotent by the worry over the team. Even the sexy negligee doesn't work. Then after a win he comes home all randy, but by the time she's changed into the slinky nightwear he's in front of the box and completely oblivious to her presence. It's all very human.</p><p></p><p>Like Roy's other entry for this series of pilots, Barker's character gets an opening and closing narration of sorts. This time it's driving his taxi and chatting to two newlyweds who have other things on their minds. Most of the chat seems to revolve around love. I wonder if the plan was for there to be a different theme each week, based on events in the episode. Sadly, we'll never know.</p><p></p><p>One thing I'll say for both this and the previous episode is that they feel very much ready to go as a series. They feel comfortable and kind of worn in, but also very special and filled with interesting characters who could easily become iconic. It's a real shame this one didn't go any further.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Spells & Karma, post: 305869, member: 23"] [B]7 of 1 [I]Spanner's Eleven[/I][/B] What a great title (perhaps inspired by [I]Ocean's 11[/I] from a decade or so earlier), but it's nicely oblique, perfectly fitting (once one does understand once it means). And "spanner" is one of those words that has a funny ring to it anyway. The idea of a sitcom based on a football team doesn't appeal at all. Thankfully it became apparent very quickly that one doesn't need to know or care for the game in order to enjoy the series. In many ways the premise is similar to the early [I]Carry On[/I] formula where a group of hopeless misfits try to pull it out of the bag for the man in charge because it means the world to him. And when he's not playing coach, Albert Spanner drives a taxi which opens up another world of possibilities. A few familiar faces include Bill Maynard as a local councillor and a young Christopher Biggins as member of the team with a touch of the Billy Bunters. Roy Clarke's touch is everywhere with some great characters and dialogue. The episode has a running Barry and Freda type gag where she wants it but he's been made impotent by the worry over the team. Even the sexy negligee doesn't work. Then after a win he comes home all randy, but by the time she's changed into the slinky nightwear he's in front of the box and completely oblivious to her presence. It's all very human. Like Roy's other entry for this series of pilots, Barker's character gets an opening and closing narration of sorts. This time it's driving his taxi and chatting to two newlyweds who have other things on their minds. Most of the chat seems to revolve around love. I wonder if the plan was for there to be a different theme each week, based on events in the episode. Sadly, we'll never know. One thing I'll say for both this and the previous episode is that they feel very much ready to go as a series. They feel comfortable and kind of worn in, but also very special and filled with interesting characters who could easily become iconic. It's a real shame this one didn't go any further. [/QUOTE]
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The Great British Sitcom
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